What should i Study

[alexburgwyn]

hello

As the title suggests i am looking at pursing a career in the financial markets as a trader. I have been learning the art of trading for a few years and really enjoy it.

I currently have 4/5 uni offers for the chance to study economics. but am looking at taking a gap year to pursue my hobby for a year.

however i have been thinking lately on whether economics is my best choice to make. the reason for this is because in my first year at sixthform i had work experience on a trading floor in London which gave me the opportunity to develop my skills with real traders. they all used some sort of software to help them plan some of their trades.

and so my question is this should i think about doing my degree in computer science which wouldn't be new too me as i am studying BTEC IT

 

[Shaari]

You can write EA's for traders. It's good that a trader has a degree in comp.science, it seems to me that you are aware how those algorithms are written

 

[highbury fx]

hello

As the title suggests i am looking at pursing a career in the financial markets as a trader. I have been learning the art of trading for a few years and really enjoy it.

I currently have 4/5 uni offers for the chance to study economics. but am looking at taking a gap year to pursue my hobby for a year.

however i have been thinking lately on whether economics is my best choice to make. the reason for this is because in my first year at sixthform i had work experience on a trading floor in London which gave me the opportunity to develop my skills with real traders. they all used some sort of software to help them plan some of their trades.

and so my question is this should i think about doing my degree in computer science which wouldn't be new too me as i am studying BTEC IT

hi Alex

if I were looking to hire grads on to my trading floor in the role of dealer i'd be looking to hire someone who has a maths background and shows an aptitude for mental arithmetic - positions, pnl, balances all need to be kept up to date in your head as well as rely on a PC. Its no good being busy and trying to get a big order done if you're struggling with your mental averages. I'd be looking for someone who has travelled (proves to me they can travel), I'd want someone who has an active social life and is able to build relationships rather than someone who wants to build spaceships. i'd want to see any type of trading history (not bothered if its demo or real or profitable or loss making - I just want evidence that they have an interest in the markets and understand a price. we'll teach them our way from there on)

a weak degree at a good university will get them higher up my interview list than a good degree at a rubbish university. they've got in to the good uni because of tenacity and may have got misled whilst there.. I can bring them back to their potential by showering them in cash but I want to know they're one of the good ones to begin with.

internships at FTSE250 companies such as IG or CMC would count for something and I would interview anyone that applies for a job with me in any department if they had an IG or CMC internship on their CV, more so than someone who has worked at a low-mid tier bank for example.

I would prefer you to finish your degree and then take a gap year at 22 rather than take a gap year at 18. You'll know more when you're 22, you'll have more money in your pocket and you'll be having more mind blowing experiences and would hopefully have it out your system. People that take gap years before year 1 also like to take gap years after year 4. I want to see someone who is ready for hard work and then rewards himself once its successfully done, not someone who wants to play for a year because its better than starting university.

this job is changing. bear that in mind, its not as fun as it used to be and the money for 3 years experience is probably a quarter of what it was 20 years ago. I know people at huge brokerages with 3 years experience earning the same as someone who paints lines in the road. the top performers still become millionaires but its much harder now.

 

[Pat494]

Fine if you want to go the Uni way but bear in mind the Richard Bransons of this world seem to have something else and that something makes all the difference. He has 1 "O" level if I remember correctly.

Trading the news is
What every successful trader does
Making informed investment decisions is practically impossible without looking into current and upcoming events. Learn the basics of this approach for an easier and more predictable trading experience.


Why does economic news matter?
Major events stir the markets both before and after they happen. Most fundamental economic reports are published on a regular basis, thus allowing for price predictions based on previous or preliminary results.




A news release is almost certain to sway the price of a relevant asset. The trend, however, is always followed by a correction.

Many traders believe this moment to be the best time to enter the market.